Take time to review school safety

Published: Friday, August 24, 2012 at 2:46 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, August 24, 2012 at 2:46 p.m.

Ready or not, school resumes Monday for public students throughout Davidson County. That means the big yellow school buses will once again be traveling the roads, along with teenage drivers and parents taking their children to class before heading to work or other destinations. The beginning of a new year always brings excitement (if some dread for youths who have enjoyed the summer break), and that will especially be the case for students attending the new Oak Grove Middle School and Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy.

Most parents, students and drivers know the safety rules concerning both school and buses, but it never hurts to spend a few minutes either mentally or verbally reviewing them. No one wants to see the school year start with an accident that injures or even kills a child. Drivers in school zones need to pay careful attention and reduce their speed. Use caution when traveling around a school bus, as excited students may not always remember to check for oncoming traffic. Finally, reinforce the importance of education for students and provide encouraging words to help them do their best in the classroom.

Some companies generate buzz when they open a new location, and that's certainly the case with Sheetz. The combination convenience store and restaurant opened its second Davidson County location on Old U.S. Highway 52 at Enterprise Road. Perhaps the main controversy about the new location was whether it's located in Midway or Welcome. It sits in the Midway Township but across from the Welcome Business Center. Company representatives should feel good that residents of both communities want to claim it as their own.

Walmart generates a wide range of emotions, but few could argue about the positive impact Erica Davidson had during her four-year tenure as manager of the Lexington store. Walmart employees dramatically increased their involvement with local nonprofit groups, providing not only manpower but money as well. Having the support of such a large retailer creates a major boost for agencies. Davidson leaves big shoes for the next manager to fill as she transfers to a store in Greensboro.

While the future may look bright for Sheetz and Walmart, the opposite outlook appears for Linwood Furniture. The company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March, has halted most production and furloughed its 75 employees. The next step could be liquidation and sale of assets; a court hearing is slated for Sept. 5. Linwood started with great fanfare in 2006 as Bob Timberlake worked with the company to produce his furniture line. But the forces that have affected so many furniture manufacturers hit Linwood, too, and another link to Lexington's furniture heritage faces a bleak future.

<p>Ready or not, <B>school resumes Monday </B>for public students throughout Davidson County. That means the big yellow school buses will once again be traveling the roads, along with teenage drivers and parents taking their children to class before heading to work or other destinations. The beginning of a new year always brings excitement (if some dread for youths who have enjoyed the summer break), and that will especially be the case for students attending the new Oak Grove Middle School and Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy.</p><p>Most parents, students and drivers know the safety rules concerning both school and buses, but it never hurts to spend a few minutes either mentally or verbally reviewing them. No one wants to see the school year start with an accident that injures or even kills a child. Drivers in school zones need to pay careful attention and reduce their speed. Use caution when traveling around a school bus, as excited students may not always remember to check for oncoming traffic. Finally, reinforce the importance of education for students and provide encouraging words to help them do their best in the classroom.</p><p>Some companies generate buzz when they open a new location, and that's certainly the case with <B>Sheetz. </B>The combination convenience store and restaurant opened its second Davidson County location on Old U.S. Highway 52 at Enterprise Road. Perhaps the main controversy about the new location was whether it's located in Midway or Welcome. It sits in the Midway Township but across from the Welcome Business Center. Company representatives should feel good that residents of both communities want to claim it as their own.</p><p>Walmart generates a wide range of emotions, but few could argue about the positive impact <B>Erica Davidson </B>had during her four-year tenure as manager of the Lexington store. Walmart employees dramatically increased their involvement with local nonprofit groups, providing not only manpower but money as well. Having the support of such a large retailer creates a major boost for agencies. Davidson leaves big shoes for the next manager to fill as she transfers to a store in Greensboro.</p><p>While the future may look bright for Sheetz and Walmart, the opposite outlook appears for <B>Linwood Furniture.</B> The company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March, has halted most production and furloughed its 75 employees. The next step could be liquidation and sale of assets; a court hearing is slated for Sept. 5. Linwood started with great fanfare in 2006 as Bob Timberlake worked with the company to produce his furniture line. But the forces that have affected so many furniture manufacturers hit Linwood, too, and another link to Lexington's furniture heritage faces a bleak future.</p>